Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-21
Interstate Commerce Bill.


At the meeting Of New England Rail
road Managers held Thursday il
Boston, to consider the provision
of the Interstate Commerce bill. th'
committee of presidents, to which was re
| ferred several questions propounded at the
previous meeting, presented the following re-
port upon them:
Int l. Free passes-Does sec. 2. taker
| in connection with sec. %, prohibit the is
suance of free passes, except for the officers
and employees OF railroad companies?
Ans. /. In answer to this question the
committee voted THAT the usual courtesie:
heretofore extended to the families of the
officers and employees of railroad companies
are not prohibited and should be continued,
but that in the opinion of the committee il
would be in contraventon of the spirit of
secs. 2 and 90 of the interstate commerce
law to issue free passes, except as above, and
they therefore recommend conformity to this
Interpretation of the law"
As questions 5. 10, 10 and IL were of
such a nature that the committee wished for
legal advice before making a report, they
voted to submit them to Hon. Richard Olney,
A. A. Strout and George A. Torrey for their
opinion, said gentlemen being respectively
counsel for the Boston & Maine, Boston &
Lowell and Fichburg railroads. After re-
ceiving them. it was voted to adapt the Ian
gua2e of their answers to tine questions in
making a report to the convention
Int. 5. Are contracts which have been
made with shippers for transportation of
freight which have not expired prior to April
rendered void by the interstate commerce
law?
Ans. s. All provisions in contract, exist
ing on the fifth Law of April. which are CON-
trary to The interstate commerce law, became
void so far as they are executory.
Int. 7. Are export drawbacks prohibited
by law?
Ans. 7. Export draw backs are not prohib-
tied, provided they do not in other respects
infringe the provisions Of the interstate com
merce law.
Int. 8. Does the proportion of through
rate, which a railroad receives under joint
tariff, fix the local charge between the same
poiots?
Ans. 8. The proportion of through rate,
which a railroad receives under joint tariff,
has no relation to, or connection with, the
compensation it is entitled to charge for
transportation on its own line.
Int 8. Can tickets for scholars be sold at
less rates than to other children of the same
age?
sale of tickets to scholars at rates lower than
those charged to other children of the same
age.
Int. 10. What constitutes an excursion
ticket under the law?
Ans. 10. An excursion ticket means a
round trip ticket sold at reduced rate co any
person who, for special purpose or at a
particular season, desires to make a special
journey within a given time to q given point
and return.
Int. IL. Does the law apply to the express
business as a matter for which the railroad
are responsible to the public?
Ans. IL. Express companies are common
carriers and subject to the provisions of this
act. violation of its provisions by the tx
press companies does not render the railroad
company responsible, unless the latter has
knowingly participated therein.
1t was voted that the recommendation Of
the committee in relation to question be
adopted, and that no passes be issued for
interstate business except those authorized
by the law as explained by the committee,
and that all outstanding passes in violation Of
the act as interpreted by the committee be
Withdrawn. After discussion it was also
voted that the whole matter Of complimentary
state passes be left to the wise discretion of
each railroad to decide for itself, but that, in
the opinion of this convention, any passes
given for the purpose influencing commerce
would be in cOntravention of the spirit of the
interstate commerce law. 1t was also voted
to adopt the committees report in relation
to questions 5, 7. s, 8. 10 and IL.